Mavericks have no real reason to trade Anthony Davis, insider says

As the Mavericks continue to search for traction in an uneven season, one prominent NBA voice is urging patience over panic.

Following Dallas’ 126–116 loss to the Warriors on Christmas Day, Zach Lowe argued that the Mavericks should resist the urge to force an Anthony Davis trade and instead allow the season to play out naturally.

Speaking on The Zach Lowe Show, Lowe pushed back on the idea that Dallas needs to act aggressively at the deadline, especially with Davis sidelined.

“I just don’t think there’s a really good AD trade,” Lowe said. “They’re 7-5 in their last 12 games. There’s something fun happening with Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis together. No matter what they did, I don’t think they could out lose any of the following teams.”

Lowe went on to explain why Dallas sits in an awkward middle ground in the standings.

“I don’t think they can out lose Utah because of the pick that Utah owes. I don’t think they could out lose Sacramento because they’re Sacramento,” Lowe added. “I don’t think they could out lose the Wizards.

“I don’t think they can out lose the Pacers, who are in the greatest one-year tank position since the Spurs tank for Tim Duncan. And I actually don’t think they can out lose the Nets.”

Dallas enters the post-Christmas stretch at 12–20, a record that reflects inconsistency more than collapse. Lowe believes that reality argues against desperation.

“So if I’m stuck in that nether world, I’m not making an Anthony Davis trade that sucks just to make it,” Lowe said. “Particularly now since he’s injured, I’m riding it out. I’m going to sort of organically soft tank my way and hope the lottery gods are kind to me like they were last year.”

Davis suffered a right groin injury in the loss to Golden State, a factor Lowe noted would further depress trade value. Moving an injured star rarely brings back anything close to full return.

Instead, Lowe outlined a path that prioritizes flexibility rather than surrender.

“I’m coming back next year with AD, and Kyrie, and Cooper Flagg,” Lowe said.

The Mavericks benefited from lottery luck a year ago, landing the No. 1 overall pick, and Lowe acknowledged that lightning rarely strikes twice.

Still, preserving options now may leave Dallas better positioned to recalibrate in the offseason.

For now, the message was simple. Don’t force it.

Dallas will look to stop its slide Saturday when it faces the Kings as part of a three-game road trip.

Whether patience proves wise remains to be seen, but Lowe’s stance was clear: There’s little upside in rushing into a Davis trade that doesn’t meet the Mavericks’ standards.